Shawmut Dam on the lower Kennebec River has been steeped in controversy over recent years, with environmentalists calling for its removal along with three other dams nearby because of their impediment to fish passage. An application from Shawmut’s owners to continue...
The Montgomery Dam and its waterfall are a centerpiece to Camden’s beautiful and historic core along with the library, Harbor Park (designed by the world-famous Olmsted firm), and the amphitheater.
In 2017 voters allocated $50,000 for repairs to the dam. At the same time the Camden
Comprehensive Plan, endorsed and signed by the Select Board on behalf of the Town, included Montgomery Dam restoration in its suggested 10- year Capital Improvement Plan. Interestingly, the plan did not identify any problems along the Megunticook River.
But now Camden faces an imminent threat of losing Montgomery Dam because of grant requirements within the National Coastal Resiliency Program, a worthwhile endeavor designed to promote fish passage.
This resiliency program is administered by the Federal Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Defense and several private corporations.
Camden does not fit the grant requirements. In its attempt to meet them, the town parroted purposes of the grant, but without a sufficient statement of need.
Camden’s “Jane’s Walk” visited four of the dam sites on Megunticook River, Saturday, May 4, 2024 — 2:00 p.m. The walk showed a dramatic waterfall at each site except at Montgomery Dam. There has been an ongoing debate about the future of these dams and their waterfalls. This walk was led by volunteer members of “Save the Dam Falls,” which is offering a counter-argument to the Town of Camden’s campaign to remove the dams, millponds, and waterfalls, particularly the spectacular Montgomery Falls at the head of the harbor.
What a great response and wonderful event with 70 people and one osprey chirping up above us in a tree. He was rooting us on!
The Megunticook River is a very short, very steep stream in Camden, Maine. At one time there were ten or more active mills and dam sites on the stream. The town of Camden was settled and grew on the Megunticook River because of the water power of the Megunticook for...
In the effort to save Camden’s Montgomery Dam, it is often overlooked that the Knowlton Street Dam, a half mile upstream, has also been recommended for demolition in the Interfluve report that’s being used to justify removing the Montgomery Dam.
The July 2023 issue of Down East Magazine has a short description of Camden, Maine's Montgomery Dam and Falls as part of an 8-page feature on Maine's waterfalls. The spectacular Montgomery Dam Falls were included among Down East's five "Convenient Cascades" that...
The Montgomery Dam and its waterfall at the head of Camden Harbor have been the subject of much controversy. There are many facts, some true and some not-so-true, being presented to Camden citizens.
Ron Hawkins, Camden resident and long-time owner of a dam in Brooksville Maine, presents well thought out facts in this excellent article.
THIS ARTICLE IS WELL WORTH READING.
By Ken Gross To date. It has been an active few months. The Save the Dam Falls Committee was formed in July 2021, when it became obvious that the town government — by which we mean the Camden Select Board and Town Manager, not the professional staff at the Town Office...
By Robert Nichols There is a movement by a group of individuals in Camden who want to remove the three lower dams on the Megunticook river in the name of protecting the town from “flooding”. The irony of that movement is that our dams DON’T CAUSE flooding, they work...
Every member of the Camden Select Board has taken an oath to “faithfully discharge to the best of my abilities, all duties incumbent upon me pursuant to all charters, ordinances, policies and rules and regulations of the Town of Camden of which I have the right and...